Upper Mustang Trek
Trip Overview
The Upper Mustang trek winds its way to the hidden Buddhist world of the Kingdom of Mustang, also known as Lo. This remote trans-Himalayan mountain area borders Tibet and has a distinct Tibetan feel to it, both in its people and culture and in its arid landscape of high cliffs and rocks of unusual formations and colour.
The trek visits Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang, then on through a stark landscape in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri massif to Lo-Manthang, the seat of past Kings of the Kingdom of Lo.
Explore caves, rock paintings, monasteries, and gompa and learn something about the culture of this area. Panoramic views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and others, are very much part of this exciting trip!
Within Lo Manthang itself a visit to Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar, the last main village in the northwest of the area, as well as the King’s palace, brings a further cultural understanding of the area.
There is also an amchi (traditional Tibetan doctor) museum and school, where visitors can learn about this ancient healing art and how it is being adapted to meet modern-day situations.
A few hours’ walks from Lo Manthang is Gyakar with its famous Gompa. Ghar Gompa is over 1,200 years old, is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche, who travelled these areas at that time.
The Gompa is famous for its rock paintings, and the fact it is believed that if you make a wish here, it will come true. So make a wish at the Ghar Gompa, and hope to return again someday!
The trek is a relatively high altitude (3,000m to 3,800m), which is somehow intensified by the dry air.
While it is no problem for those born at this altitude to travel at speed, visitors will be more leisurely in their hike to avoid any altitude related problems. On average walking takes place from 5 to 7 hours a day and some paths are particularly windy and dusty.
But this trek into the restricted area of Upper Mustang, which in part follows the ancient salt route, is something that will remain in one’s memory forever.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
Welcome to the land of the Mountains. Our representative will greet and collect you at the airport and drive you to your respective hotels. As you check into the hotel, the representative will give you a short synopsis of our plans ahead. Tonight, spend your time at a hotel in Kathmandu
Day 2 A full day tour in Kathmandu
We will drive around wonderful sightseeing spots in Kathmandu. We will visit major tourist areas that are enlisted in UNESCO’s World Heritage sites such as Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath Stupa, etc. Afterward, we will visit the Thamel marketplace to purchase the necessary items and equipment for trekking.
Day 3 Drive to Pokhara (910m/2,985ft), Duration: 6 Hours
Early morning tourist bus ride to Pokhara. After around seven hours of drive, we reach the beautiful touristic hub of Nepal – Pokhara. We check in the hotel, freshen up and get ready for a relaxing exploration around the lakeside Pokhara. With the pristine air, serene lake water, and mountains, lakeside Pokhara is a heavenly place to be at. In the evening, we return to our hotel. Spend your time at the hotel in Pokhara for the night.
Day 4 Morning flight to Jomsom (2,743m/8,999ft) and trek to Kagbeni (2800m/9185ft) Duration: 3 Hours
Head to Pokhara Airport for the flight to Jomsom. Trek towards Kagbeni.
Day 5 Trek to Chele (3110m/10200ft) Duration: 5 - 6 Hours
After special permit checking hike alongside Kaligandaki River and ascend the ridges towards Tangbe village and finally arrive at Chele.
Day 6 Trek to Syanboche (3,735m/12,253ft at Darjori La pass) Duration: 5-6 Hours
Start early to ascend the Taklam La pass along the steep, dry terrain. After some descents, you will cross through a large gorge that opens up for Syanboche village.
Day 7 Trek to Ghaymi (4,010m/13,156ft at the Nyi Pass) Duration: 5-6 Hours
Ascend a steep Yamada La towards the deserted areas than to Gailing with few settlements. A tough climb awaits in the Nyu La Pass which leads to Ghyami.
Day 8 Trek to Charang (3620m/11875ft) Duration: 6 Hours
Descend to the colorful valley like the rainbow and cross Tangmarchu River. Again ascend ta plateau and pass Mani Wall and head to Charang village.
Day 9 Trek to Lo- Manthang (3840m/12595ft) Duration: 4-5 Hours
Descend to Tsarangchu and enter THolung village. And ascend to windy Lo pass towards Lo- Manthang
Day 10 Excursion and Acclimatization day
Day 11 Trek to Charang (3620m/11875ft) Duration: 6 Hours
Trek back to Charang.
Day 12 Trek to Tange (3,240m/10,629ft) Duration: 5-6 Hours
Hike to the flat land and descend from there to The Khola and across the ridge downhill to reach Tange.
Day 13 Trek to Tetang (3,067m/10,062ft) Duration: 8 Hours
Early trekking for the long day. Cross the suspension bridge to reach the flat. Ascend further to Cacho La pass then descend to reach Tetang village.
Day 14 Trek to Muktinath (3800m/12465ft) Duration: 7 Hours
Cross the Gyu La Pass and then descend to Chyangur village and then towards Muktinath.
Day 15 Trek to Jomsom (2,743m/8,999ft) Duration: 6 Hours
Further, descend to Jharkot village then extend more towards Jomsom through Kali Gandaki valley.
Day 16 Jomsom (2,743m/8,999ft) to Pokhara (910m/2,985ft)
Take a flight to Pokhara. Rest day, roaming around the city and souvenir shopping
Day 17 Fly to Kathmandu
Last day in the Capital city. You can take some rest and transfer photos or pay visits to local areas, shopping for more souvenirs for your loved ones.
Day 18 Final Departure (Farewell)
On this last day, we will drop you at the International airport 3 hours before your flight time by our representative. Thank you and have a safe journey.
Included
- Transportation Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu on a tourist bus
- Private transport from Pokhara bus station to your hotel in Lakeside
- Two nights accommodation with attached bathroom in Pokhara
- Accommodations (12 nights in trek regions): Ten nights room with attached bathroom at Kagbeni, Jomsom, Syangboche, Ghami (2N), Tsarang, Lo Manthang (2N), Chhusang, Muktinath. Two nights standard room at Samar, Chele (Twin Sharing Room)
- Pokhara - Jomsom - Pokhara flight cost - including airport taxes
- All standard meals (13 Lunches, 13 Dinners, and 14 Breakfasts) during the trek.
- Government licensed, experienced accessible adventure trek leader (guide), assistant trekking guide for groups with 12 or more trekkers. One porter for every 2 trekkers (Per trekker weight limit 9 kg).Guides and porters meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation, and other necessary equipment costs
- Coverage of guides and porters meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation and other necessary equipment.
- Upper Mustang Restricted Area Special Trekking permit US$ 500 per person for 10 days (from Kagbeni to Kagbeni). For each extra day USD 50
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) fee
- Water purification tablets
- Snacks (cookies) and seasonal fresh fruits every day
- All government, local taxes, and official expenses
- Arrangement of the rescue operation in case of complicated health (funded by travel insurance)
- Souvenir - a company's T-shirt & cap
- Accessible Adventure trek appreciation certificate
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu at the end of the trek
Excluded
- International flight costs
- Excess luggage charges (luggage weight limit is 9 kg per person)
- Nepal entry visa fees at Tribhuvan International Airport
- All accommodations and meals in Kathmandu, before and after the journey
- Lunch and dinner in Pokhara.
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara due to early arrival, late departure, early return from trekking
- Personal expenses such as shopping, snacks, bar bills, hot (tea/coffee) and cold drinks, bottled or boiled water, shower, Wi-Fi, laundry, telephone call, battery re-charge fee, extra porters, etc
- Travel insurance that covers emergency high-altitude heli - rescue and evacuation and health care costs (compulsory)
- Tips for guide and porters
- Additional costs or delays due to circumstances beyond our control like bad weather conditions, itinerary modification for safety, government policy changes
- All the costs and expenses not listed in "What is included?" will be counted as excludes
Good to Know
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
Welcome to the land of the Mountains. Our representative will greet and collect you at the airport and drive you to your respective hotels. As you check into the hotel, the representative will give you a short synopsis of our plans ahead. Tonight, spend your time at a hotel in Kathmandu
Day 2 A full day tour in Kathmandu
We will drive around wonderful sightseeing spots in Kathmandu. We will visit major tourist areas that are enlisted in UNESCO’s World Heritage sites such as Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath Stupa, etc. Afterward, we will visit the Thamel marketplace to purchase the necessary items and equipment for trekking.
Day 3 Drive to Pokhara (910m/2,985ft), Duration: 6 Hours
Early morning tourist bus ride to Pokhara. After around seven hours of drive, we reach the beautiful touristic hub of Nepal – Pokhara. We check in the hotel, freshen up and get ready for a relaxing exploration around the lakeside Pokhara. With the pristine air, serene lake water, and mountains, lakeside Pokhara is a heavenly place to be at. In the evening, we return to our hotel. Spend your time at the hotel in Pokhara for the night.
Day 4 Morning flight to Jomsom (2,743m/8,999ft) and trek to Kagbeni (2800m/9185ft) Duration: 3 Hours
Head to Pokhara Airport for the flight to Jomsom. Trek towards Kagbeni.
Day 5 Trek to Chele (3110m/10200ft) Duration: 5 - 6 Hours
After special permit checking hike alongside Kaligandaki River and ascend the ridges towards Tangbe village and finally arrive at Chele.
Day 6 Trek to Syanboche (3,735m/12,253ft at Darjori La pass) Duration: 5-6 Hours
Start early to ascend the Taklam La pass along the steep, dry terrain. After some descents, you will cross through a large gorge that opens up for Syanboche village.
Day 7 Trek to Ghaymi (4,010m/13,156ft at the Nyi Pass) Duration: 5-6 Hours
Ascend a steep Yamada La towards the deserted areas than to Gailing with few settlements. A tough climb awaits in the Nyu La Pass which leads to Ghyami.
Day 8 Trek to Charang (3620m/11875ft) Duration: 6 Hours
Descend to the colorful valley like the rainbow and cross Tangmarchu River. Again ascend ta plateau and pass Mani Wall and head to Charang village.
Day 9 Trek to Lo- Manthang (3840m/12595ft) Duration: 4-5 Hours
Descend to Tsarangchu and enter THolung village. And ascend to windy Lo pass towards Lo- Manthang
Day 10 Excursion and Acclimatization day
Day 11 Trek to Charang (3620m/11875ft) Duration: 6 Hours
Trek back to Charang.
Day 12 Trek to Tange (3,240m/10,629ft) Duration: 5-6 Hours
Hike to the flat land and descend from there to The Khola and across the ridge downhill to reach Tange.
Day 13 Trek to Tetang (3,067m/10,062ft) Duration: 8 Hours
Early trekking for the long day. Cross the suspension bridge to reach the flat. Ascend further to Cacho La pass then descend to reach Tetang village.
Day 14 Trek to Muktinath (3800m/12465ft) Duration: 7 Hours
Cross the Gyu La Pass and then descend to Chyangur village and then towards Muktinath.
Day 15 Trek to Jomsom (2,743m/8,999ft) Duration: 6 Hours
Further, descend to Jharkot village then extend more towards Jomsom through Kali Gandaki valley.
Day 16 Jomsom (2,743m/8,999ft) to Pokhara (910m/2,985ft)
Take a flight to Pokhara. Rest day, roaming around the city and souvenir shopping
Day 17 Fly to Kathmandu
Last day in the Capital city. You can take some rest and transfer photos or pay visits to local areas, shopping for more souvenirs for your loved ones.
Day 18 Final Departure (Farewell)
On this last day, we will drop you at the International airport 3 hours before your flight time by our representative. Thank you and have a safe journey.
Included
- Transportation Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu on a tourist bus
- Private transport from Pokhara bus station to your hotel in Lakeside
- Two nights accommodation with attached bathroom in Pokhara
- Accommodations (12 nights in trek regions): Ten nights room with attached bathroom at Kagbeni, Jomsom, Syangboche, Ghami (2N), Tsarang, Lo Manthang (2N), Chhusang, Muktinath. Two nights standard room at Samar, Chele (Twin Sharing Room)
- Pokhara - Jomsom - Pokhara flight cost - including airport taxes
- All standard meals (13 Lunches, 13 Dinners, and 14 Breakfasts) during the trek.
- Government licensed, experienced accessible adventure trek leader (guide), assistant trekking guide for groups with 12 or more trekkers. One porter for every 2 trekkers (Per trekker weight limit 9 kg).Guides and porters meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation, and other necessary equipment costs
- Coverage of guides and porters meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation and other necessary equipment.
- Upper Mustang Restricted Area Special Trekking permit US$ 500 per person for 10 days (from Kagbeni to Kagbeni). For each extra day USD 50
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) fee
- Water purification tablets
- Snacks (cookies) and seasonal fresh fruits every day
- All government, local taxes, and official expenses
- Arrangement of the rescue operation in case of complicated health (funded by travel insurance)
- Souvenir - a company's T-shirt & cap
- Accessible Adventure trek appreciation certificate
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu at the end of the trek
Excluded
- International flight costs
- Excess luggage charges (luggage weight limit is 9 kg per person)
- Nepal entry visa fees at Tribhuvan International Airport
- All accommodations and meals in Kathmandu, before and after the journey
- Lunch and dinner in Pokhara.
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara due to early arrival, late departure, early return from trekking
- Personal expenses such as shopping, snacks, bar bills, hot (tea/coffee) and cold drinks, bottled or boiled water, shower, Wi-Fi, laundry, telephone call, battery re-charge fee, extra porters, etc
- Travel insurance that covers emergency high-altitude heli - rescue and evacuation and health care costs (compulsory)
- Tips for guide and porters
- Additional costs or delays due to circumstances beyond our control like bad weather conditions, itinerary modification for safety, government policy changes
- All the costs and expenses not listed in "What is included?" will be counted as excludes